Tuesday, March 23, 2010

What to say?

Tonight we were at a local restaurant with all of the committee members celebrating the preliminary totals from the fundraising event this weekend, Emma's Bayou Bash. Despite the rain, cold, and gusty winds, I would say we did well...in excess of $51,000!! Emma's Hugs and Batten Disease Support and Research Association will be able to help tons of people! Oh, and in case you didn't hear, Saturday at Emma's Bayou Bash, Emma's Hugs gave a $5,000 check to a local 13 year old girl fighting bone cancer. She is so brave! Please pray for Ashley.

So, we're getting ready to leave the restaurant when I see a former student. I've seen her a time or two or three or more over the past few years, as she worked at one of my favorite stores, Old Navy. She has seen me with my kiddos...all of them. The past year or so though, she hasn't seen me with Emma. Tonight I didn't have any of our little dolls with us. So after a quick hug, hello, and how are you, she is walking away and gives me a wave and, "three kids, right?" (It was always funny for her to see me with my crew since I didn't have any kids when I taught.) I struggled to shake my head yes, but wanted to tell her, "come back because I need to share with you the story of my beautiful little girl, Emma. She came and left all too quickly, and I miss her terribly and want to you to know her too." I didn't have time to say all of that, so a nod was all she got. I got a pain in my heart in return, no fault of my student, but pain nonetheless. Have I mentioned I hate Batten Disease?

5 comments:

It saddens me to know you're dealing with this painful reality . . . Don't you have four children? Save the answer of "three" when ordering tickets, reserving rooms or chairs here on Earth. All other times, answer "Actually I have four." If more information is desired, continue - "Three here on Earth and one in Heaven." Perhaps that will open the door for you to share more about Emma. She's a part of you and your family and always will be . . . her legacy continues . . .

Your pain especially touches my heart, as I too have experienced the death of beloved children.There will be times that you will be able to share your story. The retelling of our children's life story is so important to us as we try to find our new normal. God bless you and your beautiful family.ElizabethMemaw to Macy and Loral 1/25/1993 12/30/1994 06/14/2007

Such a hard place to be. Tears came to my eyes as I read this post. You do have 4 beautiful kids. Spunky Emma will always be your daughter, even though she now lives in Heaven. She is never forgotten and always loved.Praying God's comfort and strength and love and hope and grace over you and your family today.Love and hugs and prayers,Debi

Christy I too have struggled with that same response, but more times than not, I say I have 4 children, and if more explanation is needed, then I say 1 in Heaven and 3 here on Earth. Sometimes I get a reaction like "Oh, I'm sorry, what happened", but honestly most of the time people just say "Wow, you have your hands full" or something like that. It's like they are almost too scared to ask. I have no problem talking about my sweet baby boy who just happens to reside with Jesus, but lives in my families' hearts forever. Christy, just answer the way you feel led at the time, sometimes it just depends on the situation. Hugs and Prayers,Cindy